Recently, information about the measles outbreak in some U.S. communities has been dominating news reports. The recurrence of measles is a major concern for children and adults who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccine status is incomplete. Children and adults can become sick from measles-related illnesses such as diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Less often, more complicated illnesses including deafness, blindness and seizure disorders occur. Here in Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health (DPH) requires 2 MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines for entry into school unless there are medical or religious exemptions.

The Medford Public School nurses strongly encourage parents to have their children vaccinated according to the DPH requirements. Vaccinations can be obtained at your primary care physician’s office or through the Medford Board of Health at City Hall. Should a measles case or exposure occur in our schools, students and adults without MMR vaccinations will be excluded from school according to the DPH guidelines (from days 5 through 21 after exposure).

If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse or primary care physician.